State v. DM 2009 CT 2755 (Manatee County)
The Defendant was charged with a third offense DUI. DUI Lawyer Darren Finebloom was able to keep the case in misdemeanor court. The Defendant was alleged to have been driving northbound on US 301 on a flat tire with no headlights or taillights. The Defendant performed field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI. The state was seeking one year in jail. Darren Finebloom tried the case two times both hung juries. Based on the fact that no jury could convict the Defendant the State of Florida finally dropped the DUI and the Defendant plead to reckless driving with no conviction for DUI.
Case Number: 2012 CF 008327 NC
On or about March 3rd, 2012 the defendant was arrested for DUI with a child in the vehicle and possession of an illegal drug in Sarasota county. On her way to the jail she became ill and the Officer decided to take her to the hospital. Blood was drawn at the hospital and a the Defendant had a blood alcohol level above a .20. The Officer did not write any tickets and simply sent her blood off for FDLE analysis. On Jne 6, 2012 the state filed charges and the Defendant was arrested on a capias. Darren Finebloom filed a motion to dismiss the charges as the arrest violated the speedy trial rule. The Defendant was arrested and no charges were filed until after 90 days had expired. The State agreed and dropped all charges.
Case Number: 2012 MM 009746 NC
The Defendant was arrested for domestic battery in Sarasota County. Darren Finebloom immediately contacted the alleged victim and got the 911 call. After a brief investigation Darren convinced the State to drop all charges.
Case Number: 2012 CF 008745 NC
The defendant is a local business owner in Sarasota County and was arrested for aggravated battery. The arrest stems from an incident that occurred at the Defendant’s local business. The alleged victim entered the store and stole merchandise. The alleged victim was drunk and tried to flee with the merchandise. The Defendant attempted to recover the stolen merchandise and confronted the alleged victim. The alleged victim was there with three friends. A confrontation ensued and the Defendant broke the alleged victims jaw. Upon his arrest the Defendant hired Darren Finebloom who gathered numerous witness statements and case law regarding reasonable force to recover ones property. Shortly after providing this information to the State Attorney all charges were dropped.
Case Number: 2012 CT 005028 NC
The defendant was stopped for changing lanes without signaling in Sarasota County. The trooper noticed signs of impairment and conducted a DUI investigation. The Defendant was subsequently arrested and blew a .149 and a .138. Darren Finebloom subpoenaed the officer to the DMV hearing in order to obtain testimony that no traffic violation was committed by the Defendant’s change of lanes. Once obtaining that testimony Darren Finebloom filed a motion to suppress and the State reduced the DUI to a reckless driving with no DUI conviction.
May 2012 – 7572-XEY – Hillsborough County
Defendant, a resident of New York, was stopped by Hillsborough County Deputy for failing to maintain her lane. On video, she was cooperative with the Deputy and performed field sobriety exercises. At the conclusion of the exercises, she was arrested and refused to provide a breath sample. Stephen Higgins got the charge reduced to a Reckless Driving, saving the defendant’s career.
May 2012 – CTC113452WFCANC – Pinellas County
Defendant was stopped by Clearwater Police Department for flashing her lights and having dark tint. Officer’s noticed an odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. They asked her to perform field sobriety exercises and she agreed. At the conclusion of the exercises, she was arrested and provided breath samples of .000 and .000. Officers also searched her car and found marijuana. Facing charges of DUI and Possession of Marijuana, Stephen Higgins strategized a defense regarding the stop of defendant’s vehicle, the lack of physical evidence and her good performance on video and got the DUI reduced to Reckless Driving and no conviction on the Possession of Marijuana.
May 2012 – 9884-SYA – Hillsborough County
Defendant was charged with Leaving the Scene of An Accident on his way to the airport. Officers made contact with the defendant and issued him a citation. Among other defenses available to defendant, Stephen Higgins argued to the state attorney that there was no contact between defendant’s vehicle and victims, and therefore the state attorney could not proceed on the case. After much negotiation, the charges were dropped.
May 2012, CTC97979834KTWS – Pasco County
In 2009, defendant was issued citations for Driving While License Suspended. Unbeknownst to him, the cases were yet unresolved three years later, and in 2012 he was arrested on an outstanding warrant for the charges. He spent three days in jail and once released, retained Stephen Higgins to defend him. During several months of negotiations with the Pasco County state attorney and on the eve of trial, Stephen was able to get all charges against defendant dropped.
May 2012 – 4602-GSH – Hillsborough County
Witnesses in the blue arrival terminal of Tampa International Airport alerted Tampa Police officers to a vehicle defendant was operating. Based on the witnesses’ observations, they believed defendant was impaired. Officers arrived observing signs of impairment. Officers arrived and made contact with defendant, noting bloodshot, watery eyes and erratic statements. Defendant was cooperative throughout the incident and agreed to perform field sobriety exercises. After the exercises, he was arrested, provided samples of .000 and .000 and also provide a urine sample. He retained Finebloom, Haenel & Higgins, who after presenting the defenses to the state attorney, were able to get all charges dropped.
